Giant defy 2

All the bikes GKAM mentions
All the bikes GKAM mentions are good and you wouldn’t go wrong with any of them – although the Specialized might not give you as much growing room.

I’d have to disagree with GKAM’s assesment that the others are better bikes though – I wouldn’t be surprised at all if at least two of them didn’t also come out of the Giant Factory for a start.

In my opinion the Defy 2 is better bet, it’s a really good handling, nippy machine, and it comes with a better spec – and there look to be some good deals around on the 2010 version too which has an even better spec. The only downer against it is likely to be the quality of the tyres. I rode one for a few months a couple of years back and really enjoyed it (I’ve also ridden the Allez 24). The only point against the Defy was the tyres, for some reason Giant insists on putting heavy training type tyres on their bikes at this price point – that criticism could also be leveled at most of the others on GKAM’s list, but it should be something easily sorted in the bike shop. Swap the tyres and you transform the ride.

The 2011 Defy 2 looks very smart too – it’s gotten a new frame for 2011 and they’ve changed the tyres from Kenda Kriteriums (which are horrible). Well, the name on the tyres has changed at least it’s now a Giant own brand.

Giant make a lot of bikes for other bike companies (one reason why there are so many bikes that look like the Defy around) and they know how to make a good, competitive machine. Traditionally they, along with Specialized and Trek have been the benchmark setters at this price point too.

If it was my money I’d look around for the best deal on a Defy 2 – possibly the 2010 model, which has a better groupset Shimano Tiagra rather than Sora and look to swap the tyres maybe to something that offers a nice balance of speed and durability like a Conti 4 seasons. If in the process I found a really good deal on one of the other bikes mentioned I’d go for that – none of them would let you down – you might also want to chuck a Trek 1.2 in to the mix.

The other thing to do is visit a shop that will let you take one out for a test ride so you can see how it feels.

Hope that helps. And if you have any more questions fire ’em in.